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Looking for entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including a Bob Dylan tribute concert and the wrestling stars of the WWE SuperShow.
We also look at what’s coming up in the coming weeks: the annual Songwriters 4 Vets concert, a Fringe Fort Myers benefit show and more.
To submit events, email details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected].
1. WWE SuperShow at Hertz Arena
WWE’s summer tour returns to Hertz Arena with some of its top wrestling stars, including Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, The Bloodline, Sami Zayn, a championship bout between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles and a triple threat match featuring Seth Rollins, Gunther and Damian Priest. 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18. $30-$215. On-site parking is $30 plus taxes and fees. Off-site parking is free at the neighboring Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
2. Agatha Christie crime novel “The Mousetrap”
Agatha Christie’s classic thriller is the longest-running play in the world. Seven strangers are stranded in a remote country inn during a snowstorm – and one of them is a murderer. August 16 – September 21. $60-$85. Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
3rd ACMA Bob Dylan Tribute Show in Fort Myers
Artists from the Americana Community Music Association perform the songs of Bob Dylan at this fundraiser for All Faiths Unitarian Church, home of the ACMA. Prizes will be awarded for the best Bob Dylan lookalike and the artist who plays the latest Dylan song. Saturday, August 17, 7 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m., $10. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room at All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org
4th Community Day at the IMAG History & Science Center
This annual IMAG event offers half-price admission. Activities include kids’ crafts, animal shows, science shows, hurricane preparedness seminars with NBC-2 meteorologists and more. Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.50 for students and children ages 3 to 18 (younger are free). IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, downtown Fort Myers. 243-0043 or theimag.org
5. Ben Allen Band raises money for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter
Popular Southwest Florida country band Ben Allen Band will play to raise money for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. The evening also includes raffles, prizes, a pet adoption drive and the restaurant’s full menu and bar. Saturday, August 17, 7-10 p.m. $20. Nauti Parrot Oasis, 17200 S. Tamiami Trail, south of Fort Myers. https://tinyurl.com/3x7r7823
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Singer/Songwriter Competition at the Davis Art Center
The eighth annual competition features local and national singer-songwriters performing their original songs before an audience and panel of judges. The grand prize winner receives recording time at the Davis Art Center’s Six Fingers Studio and a performance at the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival. The audience also chooses the People’s Choice Award winner. Friday, August 16, 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Frank Sinatra tribute show “My Way” at Players Circle
Last chance to see this tribute show that transforms the Players Circle Theater into a 1940s-style nightclub. Four singers and a jazz trio celebrate the hits of Frank Sinatra, including “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “New York, New York.” Now through Sunday, August 18. $35-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
The Modern Bridal Expo in Southwest Florida
The wedding spectacular returns with a fashion show at 2:30 p.m., more than 40 vendors, entertainment, catering and cake tastings and more. Saturday, August 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 online and $10 at the door. The Club at Grandézza, 11481 Grande Oak Blvd., Estero. southerneventproductionsfl.com
Fight Jennings on the Ranch
The Nashville-born country rapper is the grandson of outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings. He has had several hits with country superstar Jelly Roll, including “Fall In the Fall,” “Cowboys” and “My Only Enemy.” Monday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25 for general admission, $65 for reserved seating (plus taxes and fees). The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
OUTLOOK
William S. Burroughs and Laurie Anderson exhibit at FSW
The new exhibition, “Language Is A Virus,” brings together for the first time literary giant William S. Burroughs (“Naked Lunch,” “Junkie”) and groundbreaking avant-garde artist/musician Laurie Anderson (“O Superman”), according to Rauschenberg Gallery. Anderson and Burroughs, who died in 1997, were friends and collaborators. The exhibition examines language as “a transformative force, a vehicle of ideas and a potential weapon.” It features works on paper, unique manuscripts/publications, personal artifacts, handwritten texts and never-before-seen original paintings shot with shotguns and “bowling ball cannons.” Opening: Monday, Aug. 19, through Dec. 7. Admission free. No opening reception planned. Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway SW, Building L, south of Fort Myers. 489-9313 or rauschenberggallery.com
Songwriters 4 Vets concert in Bonita Springs
The Nashville songwriters are returning to Southwest Florida for another concert, raising money for veterans through the Songwriters for Vets Foundation. They will perform and share the stories behind their songs. The lineup includes Wyatt Durrette, Channing Wilson, Patrick Davis, Eric Paslay and Levi Lowrey. 7:00-10:30 p.m., Saturday, August 24. $125 for single seating, $375 for a table for four. VIP packages also available. The Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. songwriters4vets.com
Regional Blues Challenge in Southwest Florida
The Blues Challenge returns to Southwest Florida, where local blues acts compete for a chance to make it to next year’s main event in Memphis: The International Blues Challenge, where several hundred blues bands from around the world compete for prizes and potential blues glory. The Fort Myers event is organized by the Southwest Florida Blues Society. Sunday, August 25, 1-6 p.m. Doors open at noon. $10-20. Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 11, South Fort Myers. swfbs.org
Bonita Springs Pride Parade
Bonita Springs is hosting its first-ever LGBTQ Pride contest at this fundraiser for the upcoming Bonita Springs Pride event on Sept. 28. Contestants will compete for the titles of Mr., Miss and Mx. Bonita Springs Pride. Competition categories include “coronation attire” (what they would wear if crowned), talent and Q&A. Organizers say the event is designed to “shine a spotlight on the beauty, talent and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals while promoting inclusivity and support within the Bonita Springs community.” 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25. $13. Ceremony Brewing, 10441 Packinghouse Lane, Bonita Springs. bonitaspringspride.org
Fringe Fort Myers benefit show: “Stabilized, not controlled”
Fringe festival regular Frank Blocker is performing this offbeat one-man play to raise money for Fringe Fort Myers, the annual event featuring comedians, dancers, theater performances and more. The actor’s decision came after Gov. Ron DeSantis cited “sexualized” Fringe festivals as the reason he cut arts grants for all Florida arts groups this year. But Blocker says only a fraction of Fringe offerings feature adult material, and the events tend to be big economic boosters in their respective cities. The adult-oriented “Stabilized Not Controlled” follows the battle between an evil landlord and his nemesis, an elderly sex addict in rehab. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30. $15-$30. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
— Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Reach him at 239-335-0368 (call the venue for show tickets) or email at [email protected].
Follow him on social media or send him a message: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
